The twentieth century may one day be remembered as the century of personality cults. Hitler, Marx, Lenin, Stalin, Mao Dse Dong and Kim Il Sung each drew millions of people to follow them to perdition.
Pop stars like Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard, John Lennon, Bob Dylan and countless others are hero-worshipped and the term pop idol has emerged in the English language.
The church also has its heroes like Billy Graham, Oral Roberts, Jimmy Swaggart, Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyer and many more. When our Christian leaders fail, one often hears the cliché: “Don’t look at the person, look at Jesus”. “But I can’t see Jesus”, is what I feel like screaming at them. “In fact, I thought I saw some of Jesus in him but now I’m upset. I feel betrayed.”
Somehow, we humans are “wired” to learn relationally. How often do pupils not say, “I gave up on maths because of my teacher” or “My teacher inspired me to love history”? When it comes to the education of morals and how we should conduct our lives, the example our leaders set is more important than the things they teach. We learn more than what we are taught. That is why we are warned not to associate with a hot-tempered person, or we may “learn his ways” (Proverbs 22:24-25). For the most part children do as their parents do, rather than what their parents tell them to do. Jesus warned that it would be better for one to drown with a large stone around the neck than to cause a little one, who believes in him, to sin (Matthew 18:6).
The Bible teachers of Jesus’ day were teaching the correct beliefs but they did not model the kind of life a child of God should imitate (Matthew 5:20; 23:2-3). Today, when libraries of information are available at the click of a mouse, we need to be careful from whom we learn and what we learn from them. Jesus warned that in the last days many false prophets will appear (Matthew 24:24). He also told us to test them by the fruit they bear (Matthew 7:15-20). In our day of mass media that is not easy; we often rely on recommendations by people we trust.
Those of us who wish to teach others must be aware of our tremendous responsibility (James 3:1). We teach what we know, but we impart and reproduce what we are. We must ask ourselves “Do I, like the Pharisees, draw people to myself to become popular (Matthew 23:5-7), or is my goal to help them know Jesus better, like John the Baptist (John 3:30)?” For this reason Jesus told his followers not to use titles such as ‘Rabbi’ (Hebrew for teacher), ‘Father’ or ‘Master’ “but the greatest among you will be your servant” (Matthew 23:8-11). That is where the custom came from to call our leaders ministers, because ‘minister’ is an Old English word for servant.
Modelling the invisible Jesus or being ‘Jesus with a skin’ is the greatest challenge faced by everyone who aspires to instruct others on how to live. First, we must be in good standing with Jesus ourselves. We must not think we can keep on nurturing secret sin and our followers will not ‘catch’ our spirit. In my young days, a girlfriend dumped me with the words: “When I grow old and fat you will treat me just like you treat your mother and sisters now”. She learned something from my bad behaviour and believed she deserved better.
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
Image
Perceptions and image are marketing buzzwords. Every individual has an image of the church in general or a local church in particular, unless they have never heard the word. The church does not have complete power over how it is perceived. Nevertheless, the church has a duty to God to project a good image toward the world (Titus 2:10).
Emphasising image has its down side. One can get so preoccupied with looking good that a false impression is created. Upon closer inspection an observer could be disappointed if the image is far removed from reality.
In God's communication with man he has always made demands, even in the garden of Eden (Genesis 2:17). These may be regarded as external requirements he placed on our behaviour. The most famous are the ten commandments, although in their case an internal requirement was added (Exodus 20:17).
Man has been quite skillful at keeping up the appearance of obeying God's commandments without internalising them. The religious leaders in Jesus' day were particularly good at this. Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables so that they found it hard to fake discipleship (Matthew 13:10-13). He required his disciples to be more righteous than the Bible teachers (Matthew 5:20), emphasising that attitude is just as important as action (Matthew 5:22,28;6:1).
One question every Christian should consider on a regular basis is: "Am I modeling my faith or faking it?". The answer may not be immediately obvious because we have deceitful hearts (Jeremiah 17:9). Jesus rebuked the religious leaders because they were frauds (Matthew 15:7-9).
Emphasising image has its down side. One can get so preoccupied with looking good that a false impression is created. Upon closer inspection an observer could be disappointed if the image is far removed from reality.
In God's communication with man he has always made demands, even in the garden of Eden (Genesis 2:17). These may be regarded as external requirements he placed on our behaviour. The most famous are the ten commandments, although in their case an internal requirement was added (Exodus 20:17).
Man has been quite skillful at keeping up the appearance of obeying God's commandments without internalising them. The religious leaders in Jesus' day were particularly good at this. Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables so that they found it hard to fake discipleship (Matthew 13:10-13). He required his disciples to be more righteous than the Bible teachers (Matthew 5:20), emphasising that attitude is just as important as action (Matthew 5:22,28;6:1).
One question every Christian should consider on a regular basis is: "Am I modeling my faith or faking it?". The answer may not be immediately obvious because we have deceitful hearts (Jeremiah 17:9). Jesus rebuked the religious leaders because they were frauds (Matthew 15:7-9).
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Knowing God
When God breathed into its nostrils, the "clayman" he had made became a living soul (Genesis 2:7). This implies that man was a being with body, soul (life) and spirit (breath).
The day Adam sinned he "died" (Genesis 2:17, Ephesians 2:1). He became separated from God. The Lord made sure that he could not keep on "breathing in" life that lasts for ever (Genesis 3:22). He would need to be "born from above" to communicate with his Creator "in spirit" (John 3:3).
Adam kept on living for hundreds of years and each one of us, his descendants, is born with a body and soul. We naturally relate to the Almighty through our bodies and our souls. Through our 5 senses we experience the world our Maker has put us in charge of as his custodians. We also relate to him when our souls communicate with other human beings on matters beyond the physical. Job said of his early life that he knew God from what he had heard (Job 42:5). Knowledge restricted to our bodies and souls is inadequate to give us eternal life (John 3:6) which is to know God (John 17:3).
The fact that Adam and Eve were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) implies that humans are like gods in many aspects (John 10:34). Each one of us has a "sphere of influence" in which we exercise a measure of control. Because of their disobedience Adam and Eve unwittingly handed some of their control to the devil. Those who sin become slaves to sin (John 8:34). It can become so bad that a person loses almost all control over his/her actions as in the case of the demoniac (Mark 5:2-5). Our human nature has been corrupted and its craving for comfort, pleasure and attention tends to hinder us from doing that for which we have been created (Ephesians 2:10; Titus 3:3).
The good news is that we can be born of God (John 1:12-13). Jesus breathing on his disciples (John 20:22) can be compared to God breathing into Adam. We can get some of that breath by absorbing the words in the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12).
The day Adam sinned he "died" (Genesis 2:17, Ephesians 2:1). He became separated from God. The Lord made sure that he could not keep on "breathing in" life that lasts for ever (Genesis 3:22). He would need to be "born from above" to communicate with his Creator "in spirit" (John 3:3).
Adam kept on living for hundreds of years and each one of us, his descendants, is born with a body and soul. We naturally relate to the Almighty through our bodies and our souls. Through our 5 senses we experience the world our Maker has put us in charge of as his custodians. We also relate to him when our souls communicate with other human beings on matters beyond the physical. Job said of his early life that he knew God from what he had heard (Job 42:5). Knowledge restricted to our bodies and souls is inadequate to give us eternal life (John 3:6) which is to know God (John 17:3).
The fact that Adam and Eve were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) implies that humans are like gods in many aspects (John 10:34). Each one of us has a "sphere of influence" in which we exercise a measure of control. Because of their disobedience Adam and Eve unwittingly handed some of their control to the devil. Those who sin become slaves to sin (John 8:34). It can become so bad that a person loses almost all control over his/her actions as in the case of the demoniac (Mark 5:2-5). Our human nature has been corrupted and its craving for comfort, pleasure and attention tends to hinder us from doing that for which we have been created (Ephesians 2:10; Titus 3:3).
The good news is that we can be born of God (John 1:12-13). Jesus breathing on his disciples (John 20:22) can be compared to God breathing into Adam. We can get some of that breath by absorbing the words in the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12).
Friday, 3 December 2010
Modern day Pharisees
Imagine being a Jew in the year 30 AD, one who believed that God spoke through the 39 books of the Old Testament. The religious leaders of the day said that the "law" (five books of Moses) contained hundreds of "commandments". They taught that it was the duty of every Jew to obey these commandments.
Then John the Baptist appeared like a "modern day" Elijah. He was like one of the prophets they had read about, challenging people to improve on their commitment to the God of Israel. He got many Jews to confess their sins. However, it must have seemed nearly impossible to keep all the commandments. "Pleasing God" could be a full time job, leaving no time for making a living.
Into this world Jesus came and reinterpreted the "law". The sermon on the mount is permeated with the refrain "you have heard ... but I say to you". He "broke" the Sabbath, according to their narrow interpretation of it. He ate with unwashed hands and partied with the worst of sinners such as Zaccheus. He defied conventional etiquette by having a religious conversation with a Samaritan woman of ill repute. He did not bother to make friends with the "rabbis" but rather alienated them. It is hardly strange that they hated him.
Today there are those who have their Christianity so neatly tied up in their heads, much like the Pharisees of Jesus' day. Their main concern is not that millions are leaving the organised church because of the perception that it is judgemental and exclusive. They rather busy themselves with criticising Christians who don't serve God their narrowminded way. They target those who give their lives to make the world a better place and those who invite the unchurched to meetings which will not bore them to tears. They are unable to see the hand of God at work outside their little worlds.
It would be funny, if it was not so sad, that many who accuse the "seeker sensitive" churches of "watering down" the gospel, are political animals. Rick Warren is criticised for cooperating with Muslims in education and healthcare, but the government is criticised for not doing enough in those areas. On the one hand they want their brand of Christian ethics forced down everybody's throat (Muslim included) by a secular goverment. On the other hand they refuse to give credit to Christians who teach ethics through persuasion rather than force.
Then John the Baptist appeared like a "modern day" Elijah. He was like one of the prophets they had read about, challenging people to improve on their commitment to the God of Israel. He got many Jews to confess their sins. However, it must have seemed nearly impossible to keep all the commandments. "Pleasing God" could be a full time job, leaving no time for making a living.
Into this world Jesus came and reinterpreted the "law". The sermon on the mount is permeated with the refrain "you have heard ... but I say to you". He "broke" the Sabbath, according to their narrow interpretation of it. He ate with unwashed hands and partied with the worst of sinners such as Zaccheus. He defied conventional etiquette by having a religious conversation with a Samaritan woman of ill repute. He did not bother to make friends with the "rabbis" but rather alienated them. It is hardly strange that they hated him.
Today there are those who have their Christianity so neatly tied up in their heads, much like the Pharisees of Jesus' day. Their main concern is not that millions are leaving the organised church because of the perception that it is judgemental and exclusive. They rather busy themselves with criticising Christians who don't serve God their narrowminded way. They target those who give their lives to make the world a better place and those who invite the unchurched to meetings which will not bore them to tears. They are unable to see the hand of God at work outside their little worlds.
It would be funny, if it was not so sad, that many who accuse the "seeker sensitive" churches of "watering down" the gospel, are political animals. Rick Warren is criticised for cooperating with Muslims in education and healthcare, but the government is criticised for not doing enough in those areas. On the one hand they want their brand of Christian ethics forced down everybody's throat (Muslim included) by a secular goverment. On the other hand they refuse to give credit to Christians who teach ethics through persuasion rather than force.
Wednesday, 29 September 2010
Initiative
There are Christians who remain inactive because they are waiting for God to "take control". The devil would take control of a person if allowed, but God had the opportunity to do so when he created us. He will not "take the steering wheel" of your life. Rather, he wants you to listen when he advises you on where to "drive". The most exciting journeys are the ones where he does not tell you long in advance.
We need to take initiative in our relationship with God. He prepared good works for us to do but we must do them (Ephesians 2:10). Jesus commanded lame people to take up their beds and walk (Mark 2:11-12; John 5:8-9) and a man with a withered hand to stretch it out (Mark 3:3,5). Paul told a lame man to stand up and when he did, he was healed (Acts 14:8-10).
God created us with a free will. However, it will not remain free if we get addicted to any sin. Jesus said we can become slaves to sin (John 8:34). For instance, those who involve themselves with witchcraft can come under the control of demons so that they cannot help themselves anymore. Demons will even speak through them.
Jesus said the truth is liberating and he came to set us free (John 8:32,36). When we get baptised in the Holy Spirit he enables us to speak in tongues, but we do the speaking (Acts 2:4). Whether we speak or not is under our control (1 Corinthians 14:32). What we speak is normally not understood by us (1 Corinthians 14:2). It is likely to be praises to God (Acts 2:7-11). We need not fear that what we say would offend God, since the language comes from him and he would not give us anything bad (Luke 11:11-13).
We need to take initiative in our relationship with God. He prepared good works for us to do but we must do them (Ephesians 2:10). Jesus commanded lame people to take up their beds and walk (Mark 2:11-12; John 5:8-9) and a man with a withered hand to stretch it out (Mark 3:3,5). Paul told a lame man to stand up and when he did, he was healed (Acts 14:8-10).
God created us with a free will. However, it will not remain free if we get addicted to any sin. Jesus said we can become slaves to sin (John 8:34). For instance, those who involve themselves with witchcraft can come under the control of demons so that they cannot help themselves anymore. Demons will even speak through them.
Jesus said the truth is liberating and he came to set us free (John 8:32,36). When we get baptised in the Holy Spirit he enables us to speak in tongues, but we do the speaking (Acts 2:4). Whether we speak or not is under our control (1 Corinthians 14:32). What we speak is normally not understood by us (1 Corinthians 14:2). It is likely to be praises to God (Acts 2:7-11). We need not fear that what we say would offend God, since the language comes from him and he would not give us anything bad (Luke 11:11-13).
Thursday, 16 September 2010
Is God fair?
Imagine a man buying his son a very expensive toy. The boy starts playing with it but would not let his father help him put it together properly. As a consequence he gets hurt when the thing (for example an electric train) malfunctions. Then the boy blames his father and starts ascribing evil motives to him.
That is how many people relate to God. We question him on why innocent babies die. The fact that he allows so much suffering in the world can be an excuse for me to say "No God". This could mean I don't believe he exists or, if he is there, I think he is unfair. C S Lewis's book "God in the dock" explores this phenomenon.
Job accused God of paying attention to every detail of his life (Job7:17-20). "What is God trying to prove?", he wondered, since he is all powerful (Job 9:19-20). He implied that God was unfair to him (Job 10:2-3;16:12-14). Nevertheless the Lord was not cross with Job for being so honest about his feelings. However, God did not appreciate the way Job's friends tried to defend his honour. He can defend himself!
To question the dealings of God with men is to mistrust him and make judgements about his fairness. The gist of his answer to Job out of the storm was that he knew what he was doing and did not need our advice or monitoring of his actions (Job 38;39). How can the clay tell the potter how to mould it?
Nevertheless, the Almighty is not upset with anyone querying the things happening to himself/herself (Job 42:7). We will always conclude that he is fair and that we are in need of his forgiveness and not the other way around.
That is how many people relate to God. We question him on why innocent babies die. The fact that he allows so much suffering in the world can be an excuse for me to say "No God". This could mean I don't believe he exists or, if he is there, I think he is unfair. C S Lewis's book "God in the dock" explores this phenomenon.
Job accused God of paying attention to every detail of his life (Job7:17-20). "What is God trying to prove?", he wondered, since he is all powerful (Job 9:19-20). He implied that God was unfair to him (Job 10:2-3;16:12-14). Nevertheless the Lord was not cross with Job for being so honest about his feelings. However, God did not appreciate the way Job's friends tried to defend his honour. He can defend himself!
To question the dealings of God with men is to mistrust him and make judgements about his fairness. The gist of his answer to Job out of the storm was that he knew what he was doing and did not need our advice or monitoring of his actions (Job 38;39). How can the clay tell the potter how to mould it?
Nevertheless, the Almighty is not upset with anyone querying the things happening to himself/herself (Job 42:7). We will always conclude that he is fair and that we are in need of his forgiveness and not the other way around.
Wednesday, 8 September 2010
Peter's calling
The apostle Peter encouraged the early Christians in his second letter with the words "... make your calling and election sure" (2 Peter 1:10). He also told them how to do that and why they should be doing it. His own calling became more sure by a process, three years of which is recorded in the four gospels.
Peter was introduced to Jesus by his brother Andrew (John 1:35-42). He was in the right place namely listening to John the Baptist. My guess is that he, Andrew and the sons of Zebedee were baptised by John and spent a day with Jesus at the Jordan. The next day, joined by Philip and Nathaniel, they set out for Galilee where they attended a wedding.
It was probably a few months later in Capernaum when Jesus asked Peter for the use of his fishing boat. From the boat he addressed a crowd which had gathered at the sea. Then he asked Peter to drop his nets for a catch. The nets were filled to capacity and Peter responded by declaring himself unworthy of Jesus' friendship (Luke 5:8).
Some time after this Jesus called Simon (Peter), Andrew, James and John to follow him (Mark 1:16-18). They left their nets and accompanied him on his preaching tour in the synagogues throughout Galilee. A large crowd followed him because of all the signs he was doing. After he had fed over 5000 from 5 loaves and 2 fish Jesus told his followers that they had to eat his flesh and drink his blood (John 6:53). Many of his disciples withdrew but Peter spoke up for the twelve, saying they had no alternative if they wanted eternal life (John 6:68).
Later it was supernaturally revealed to Peter that Jesus was the Christ (Messiah). When Jesus told them that he was to die, Peter rebuked him for thinking such a thing. Jesus returned the compliment by accusing Peter of furthering the agenda of Satan (Mark 8:29-33).
During the last supper Peter disagreed when Jesus told him he was lacking in loyalty (Mark 14:30-31). He did deny knowing Jesus but repented (Mark 14:71-72) and was forgiven (Mark 16:7). After Jesus' resurrection he gained such confidence that he preached to thousands (Acts 2:14,41) and refused to be scared into silence by the Jewish religious leaders, even after a flogging (Acts 4:19-20; 5:40-42).
From the above summary of Peter's relationship to Jesus one can appreciate that he was qualified to write about making one's calling and election sure. His desire was that his readers would receive "a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:11).
Peter was introduced to Jesus by his brother Andrew (John 1:35-42). He was in the right place namely listening to John the Baptist. My guess is that he, Andrew and the sons of Zebedee were baptised by John and spent a day with Jesus at the Jordan. The next day, joined by Philip and Nathaniel, they set out for Galilee where they attended a wedding.
It was probably a few months later in Capernaum when Jesus asked Peter for the use of his fishing boat. From the boat he addressed a crowd which had gathered at the sea. Then he asked Peter to drop his nets for a catch. The nets were filled to capacity and Peter responded by declaring himself unworthy of Jesus' friendship (Luke 5:8).
Some time after this Jesus called Simon (Peter), Andrew, James and John to follow him (Mark 1:16-18). They left their nets and accompanied him on his preaching tour in the synagogues throughout Galilee. A large crowd followed him because of all the signs he was doing. After he had fed over 5000 from 5 loaves and 2 fish Jesus told his followers that they had to eat his flesh and drink his blood (John 6:53). Many of his disciples withdrew but Peter spoke up for the twelve, saying they had no alternative if they wanted eternal life (John 6:68).
Later it was supernaturally revealed to Peter that Jesus was the Christ (Messiah). When Jesus told them that he was to die, Peter rebuked him for thinking such a thing. Jesus returned the compliment by accusing Peter of furthering the agenda of Satan (Mark 8:29-33).
During the last supper Peter disagreed when Jesus told him he was lacking in loyalty (Mark 14:30-31). He did deny knowing Jesus but repented (Mark 14:71-72) and was forgiven (Mark 16:7). After Jesus' resurrection he gained such confidence that he preached to thousands (Acts 2:14,41) and refused to be scared into silence by the Jewish religious leaders, even after a flogging (Acts 4:19-20; 5:40-42).
From the above summary of Peter's relationship to Jesus one can appreciate that he was qualified to write about making one's calling and election sure. His desire was that his readers would receive "a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:11).
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